Tooth brush bristle clamp



1N VEN TOR.

David A. Ca/abrese Aug. 4, 1959 D. A. CALAB'RESE TOOTH BRUSH BRISTLE CLAMP Filed April 7, 1958 Stts This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in tooth brush holders, and more specifically to a tooth brush bristle clamp.

Although the bristles of tooth brushes are at the present time formed of nylon and other good quality bristle material, the bristles have a tendency to lose their shape. This is primarily due to the fact that once the tooth brush has been used in a wet state, it is merely washed out and hung up to dry until it is used again. As a result, there is nothing to retain the shape of the bristles during the drying stage at which time the bristles are easily deformed.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved tooth brush holder which includes a clamp for engaging the head of the tooth brush, the clamp having portions thereof which engage the bristles of the tooth brush head and thus holds the bristles in the desired shape.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bristle clamp for tooth brushes, the bristle clamp being in the form of a separate component which may he slipped over the head of a tooth brush and which will be firmly retained thereon in clamping engagement with the bristles so as to retain the shape of the bristles irrespective of how the tooth brush may be supported while drying.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved clamp forthe bristles of tooth brushes, the clamp being in the form of a sleeve like member having one open end and one open longitudinal wall, the open end facilitating the positioning of the tooth brush head within the clamp and the open wall permitting the passage of the bristles therebetween, the open wall being restricted whereby sides of the clamp will engage the bristles and urge the bristles inwardly towards each other so as to retain the shape of the bristles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a toothbrush bristle clamp which is so constructed whereby it may be merely slipped overthe head of a tooth brush and which when positioned on the tooth brush head will automatically be positioned relative to the bristles and clampingly engage the bristles so that the shape of the bristles is maintained during the drying stage of the brush.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is an elevational view showing a tooth brush suspended from a hook and having mounted on the head thereof the bristle clamp which is the subject of this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the tooth brush of Figure 1 and shows further the details of the bristle clamp;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken through the tooth brush head and bristle clamp substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3--3 of A atent Figure 2 and shows the cross-section of the bristle clamp and the relationship of the sides of the bristle clamp to the bristles of the tooth brush;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the blank from which the bristle clamp is formed;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of bristle clamp wherein the bristle clamp also serves as the support for the tooth brush; and

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the bristle clamp in Figure 5 and shows the relationship of individual bristle clamps with respect to a mounting plate.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated a conventional type of tooth brush which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The toothbrush it) includes an elongated handle 12 which terminates at one end in a head 14. Projecting from the head 14 is .a plurality of bristles 16. The tooth brush it) has a hole 18 in the handle 12 thereof through which there is received a hook 20 carried by a wall 22, the tooth brush 10 being suspended from the hook 20. It is to be understood that this is only one of the modes in which the tooth brush 10 may be supported and that if desired, the tooth brush 10 may be merely laid in a position where the bristles 16 do not come into contact with any surface.

In order that the shape of the bristles 16 may be maintained while the tooth brush 10 is drying, there is provided a bristle clamp which is the subject of this invention, the bristle clamp being referred to in general bythe reference numeral 24. The bristle clamp 24 is formed from a blank 26 which is provided with fold lines 28 defining a base 30, side walls 32 and an end wall 34.

As is best shown in Figure 3, when the bristle clamp 24 is formed from the blank 26, the sides 32 extend in converging relationship from the blank 30. Thus when the head 14 of the tooth brush it is positioned within the bristle clamp 24, the head 14 is firmly engaged by I the base 30 in the sides 32 and at the same time the the bristles 16 and urge them inwardly from their normal upstanding positions.

As is best shown in Figures 1 and 2, the end wall 34 is also disposed at an acute angle to the base 30. The end of the head 14 engages that part of the end wall 34 adjacent its connection with the base 30 to function as a stop. That portion of the end wall 34 remote from the base 30 engages the upper portions of the endmost bristles 16 so as to urge them rearwardly towards the remaining bristles 16 whereby the bristles are tensioned and after the clamp 24 has been removed, the bristles will return to their initial position.

From the foregoing description of the bristle clamp 24, it will be seen that it is generally sleeve like in configuration and that one end, the'end 36 thereof is open to facilitate the sliding of the head 14 into the bristle clamp 24. Further, one longitudinal wall, the longitudinal wall 38 is open to permit the bristles 16 to project therethrough. Thus when it is desired to mount the bristle clamp 24 on the tooth brush 10, it is merely necessary that the head 14 of the tooth brush 10 he slid into the bristle clamp 24 as far as possible.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, it will be seen that there is illustrated a tooth brush support or holder which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 40. The tooth brush support 40 is in the form of an elongated mounting plate 42 which may be readily secured to any wall structure. Secured to the mounting plate 42 and projecting therefrom is a plurality of tooth brush clamps 24. The number of bristle clamps 24 will vary as is desired and the length of the mounting plate 42 will vary accordingly.

In order, that the'tooth brush, such as the tooth brush wlflmay be. properly supported, the base-30 of each'of the bristle clamps 24 is disposed at a slight angle to the mounting plate 42. The base 30 at its intersection with -;.the end wall 34 bears against the mounting plate 42 and may besuitably connected thereto.- In order that the upper part of the bristle clamp- 24 may be positioned The bristle clamp 24 being so constructed whereby it receives the head 14 of the tooth brush'10 and firmly engages suchhead, the bristle clamp will form a suitable support for the .tooth brush-10 and at thesame time will properly support the bristles 16 thereof. The supposite said base being open whereby a tooth brush head -may be slid into said clamp' through said" open 'end'with porting of the tooth brush 10 is a separate and independ- Figures 5 and 6.

free ends of bristles projecting from said clamp, said one end sloping towards said open end with the edge of said one end remote from said base being oifset from the opposite edge thereof a distance at least equal to the distance of set back of bristles of the tooth brush from the end of the head remote from the tooth brush handle whereby that portion of said one end adjacent said base engages and functions as a stop for a tooth brush head and that portion of said one end remote from said base engages endmost bristles. v

2. A'-el-amp for retaining the shape of tooth brush bristles while drying, said clamp comprising a base, sides and one end, said sides being of a lesser height than the over-all height of a tooth brush head and bristles, the other end of the clamp and that portion of the clamp opposite said base being open whereby a tooth brush head 26 nray be slid into said clamp through said open end with free ends of bristles projecting from said cl-amp, said .7 sides converging from said base the free edge of g each of saidsides remote from said-base being inwardly From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that 'there has been devised an extremely simple bristle clamp which may be formed from. inexpensive materials at a I relatively low cost and which bristle clamp may be quickly and easily positioned on the head of a tooth brush so that it engagesithe bristles automatically and will sup-' port the bristles. while drying.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous wmodifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in.-the art, itis not desired to limit the invention and oneend, said sides being of a lesser height than the over-all height ofa tooth .brush head and bristles, the

' other, endof the clamp and that portion of the clamp opj'offset relative to said base a distance at least equal to the distance of the set back of the tooth brush bristles from the .side edgesof the tooth brush head whereby edge ,portions only ofsaidside engage bristles, said one end slo ping towards said open end with the edge of said one mend remote from said base being olfset from the opposite edge thereof a distance at least equal to the distance of .set back of bristles of the tooth brush from the end of Qtherh ead remote from the tooth brush handle whereby ..tha tportion of said one end 'adjacent'said base engages Landfunctions as a stop for a tooth brush head and that portion of said one endremote from said base engages endmost bristles.

References Cited in the. file of this patent 5 -UNITED- STATES PATENTS --1-,os7,s41 Gettins Apr. 1, 1913 1 1,212,645 Kane Jan. 16,1917

FOREIGN PATENTS 437,495 Italy July s, 1948 --9l5,175 France July 16,1946 

